The Joy Of The Lord

Have you watched the news lately ?   These days it’s an even more of a depressing experience.  As if violence and disaster weren’t enough, now the prophets of doom are forecasting the eminent end of America as we know it.  As the politicians wrangle, the growing cloud of despair is blocking out any ray of hope.   “Oh woe art thou America and if it’s this bad here God help those poor starving children in ....” 

However, Christians realize that this is the plight of those poor souls who know not God, those whose joy is tied to this decaying planet.  The Christian has a joy from above known only to those who have put their faith and trust in our creator, the God of Heaven.  That’s why, while he sat in a Roman prison with his very life hanging in the balance, the Apostle Paul could pen those famous words, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”  ( Phil. 4:4, -cf- 3:1 )  

The average child laughs 400 times a day, but the average adult laughs only 15 times a day.  What happens in life that makes adults lose their laughter?  Do we quit laughing because we are old, or do we get old because we quit laughing?  May I suggest that we quit because we loose that childlike faith.  Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

( Matt. 18: 3 )  Trust God.  He’s still in control.